State Of The Team: Los Angeles Angels

The Angels sit just about where many fans thought they would going into the year. Offseason hopes of Carl Crawford, Adrian Beltre and Rafael Soriano soon gave way to the realization that the Angels are not the Red Sox or Yankees,

although Arte Moreno tries his hardest to convince baseball fans otherwise.

[caption id="attachment_12" align="alignright" width="143" caption="Just 2 years ago the Angels were voted the ultimate sports franchise by ESPN"][/caption]

Instead of playing the free agency game they get played, consistently getting out maneuvered by their American League counterparts and settling for mid level talent or otherwise unmovable contracts.

[caption id="attachment_25" align="alignleft" width="159" caption="Hunter's 18 double plays leads MLB"][/caption]

The Angels are fighting to stay out of last place more than playing for another AL West division title so far this season.While Weaver and Haren are arguably the best 1-2 punch in the American League, the Angels are downright dreadful at the plate yet again. The absence of Kendrys Morales, the offseason’s prized acquisition Vernon Wells’ inabilities at the plate and the inevitable decline of Torii “Double Play” Hunter has left their starters out to dry more often than not.

[caption id="attachment_33" align="alignright" width="164" caption="Trumbo leads all rookies in hits, runs, homeruns, total bases and RBIs."][/caption]

On the bright side, the Angels youngsters seem to be holding their own. Angels fans have grown skeptical over the years of “can’t miss” Angels prospects since players like Dallas McPherson, Casey Kotchman, Jeff Mathis and Brandon Wood have failed to reach their lofty expectations. Mark Trumbo hasn’t been the organizations top talent at any level, but he has shown the ability to hit balls over light towers in the minors and he seems to be adjusting well to big league pitching and Hank Conger has shown flashes in limited opportunities. Tyler Chatwood is also surprising many as a serviceable fifth starter as the youngest player in the American League (born 12/16/1989).

It will be an interesting stretch run for the Angels and while the AL West is certainly there for the taking, the Halos will have to play over their heads to compete for a 9^th division title with this current roster.